Sri Lanka Dump Chandimal Amid Mass World Cup Clearout
Muhammad Rameez Published April 18, 2019 | 05:23 PM
Sri Lanka on Thursday dumped established stars including former captain Dinesh Chandimal from their one-day team in a mass clear-out for the World Cup
Colombo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Apr, 2019 ) :Sri Lanka on Thursday dumped established stars including former captain Dinesh Chandimal from their one-day team in a mass clear-out for the World Cup.
One day after announcing that Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne would be World Cup captain in place of Lasith Malinga, selectors also axed wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella, off-spinner Akila Dananjaya, and openers Danushka Gunathilaka and Upul Tharanga from the 15-man squad.
Sri Lanka have been riven with personality clashes and disciplinary problems in recent years that have seen their world standing slump.
Batsman Lahiru Thirimanne, leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay and all-rounders Milinda Siriwardana and Jeevan Mendis got places despite not playing an ODI for more than a year.
Opening batsman Avishka Fernando and paceman Nuwan Pradeep were also included in the squad for the tournament which starts in England and Wales on May 30.
The 1996 champions kick off their campaign against New Zealand in Cardiff on June 1.
Karunaratne and the 35-year-old Mendis last played a 50-over international at the previous World Cup in 2015.
Chief selector Ashantha de Mel said players like Siriwardena, who last played an ODI in 2016, were chosen to provide stability.
"To balance the side, the batsman coming in at number six has to be able to bowl," de Mel said of Siriwardana, a left-handed batsman and bowler.
"We went with someone who has a bit of experience in that role.
" Dananjaya, a mystery spinner who has played 34 ODIs, and Dickwella were axed after their poor showing in the recent tour of South Africa.
Kusal Janith Perera will be wicketkeeper and could also be used an opener.
De Mel said Dhananjaya de Silva is a better spin option than Dananjaya who picked up just two wickets from four games in Sri Lanka's 5-0 drubbing in the one-day series in South Africa.
On the pace front, Sri Lanka again opted for experience, omitting Dushmantha Chameera and Kasun Rajitha in favour of Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal.
Although not in the 15-man squad, Rajitha has been named as one of four standby players, alongside allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga and batsmen Oshada Fernando and Angelo Perera.
De Mel again justified the decision to make Karunaratne as captain in place of pace spearhead Lasith Malinga.
Karunaratne led Sri Lanka to their first Test series triumph in South Africa after sweeping the two matches in February.
"We saw in South Africa how Dimuth was able to unite the team, and have everyone playing together. That was what was important to us at this time," he said.
Sri Lanka will play two warmup games against Scotland in May before the World Cup.
Sri Lanka squad:Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
At least 10 people killed in Brazil fire: officials
Shahzaib Rind calls on Deputy Speaker Balochistan
Ahsan chairs 13th CPEC-JCC preparatory meeting, reviews arrangements for high-le ..
DC Tharparkar inaugurates anti-polio campaign
HDA Mehran workers demand salaries
Taxila police nab motorcycle lifter gang
Inter-university weightlifting championship kicks off at SAU
Walk held in a series of enrollment campaigns
Team from Gaza mediator Egypt arrives in Israel for truce talks
Kids murders: IHC orders psychiatric examination of mother
Health minister credits PML-N for advancements in organ transplantation
More Stories From Sports
-
Shahzaib Rind calls on Deputy Speaker Balochistan
1 hour ago -
Inter-university weightlifting championship kicks off at SAU
1 hour ago -
T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy unveiling ceremony held
1 hour ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
3 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
3 hours ago -
New Zealand cricket CEO visits PSCA, expresses satisfaction over security arrangements
4 hours ago
-
Asia Cricket Week from April 28
5 hours ago -
Spanish football federation appoints Rocha as president
7 hours ago -
Father, son killed in firing
10 hours ago -
Victor Boniface: Leverkusen boss Alonso makes you 'up your game'
14 hours ago -
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable victory over UAE
18 hours ago -
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
24 hours ago